Pituitary apoplexy. The importance of skull roentgenograms and computerized tomography in diagnosis.

In two patients with pituitary apoplexy, computerized tomograms demonstrated a suprasellar mass that, after infusion with contrast medium, showed a peripheral ring-like enhancement consistent with a pituitary adenoma with central necrosis. In patients with symptoms or signs suggesting subarachnoid hemorrhage or meningitis, the finding of an enlarged sella turcica on plain skull roentgenograms should raise the possibility of pituitary apoplexy. This diagnosis may be rapidly and safely confirmed by computerized tomography.